Argon Creative

[neilparf]

Thank you Neil.

I really didn't want to "slag off" anyone publicly and would have preferred to keep it between us, but you're quite right the money isn't something I can just throw away, so felt vindicated somewhat to post here showing what I was going through.

In Argon's defence, they did turn the bottle cover round promptly after I returned it, but it should never have come to me like that in the first place. The splitter was also good (very good in fact), and destroying it is completely my fault (and unrelated to my post really). The oil cooler splitter has runs in (that I've not returned for correction or attempted to fix) but I've left it because it's difficult to see when fitted to the car obviously so being a poor finish isn't so important.

I paid, in full and in advance, by bank transfer intentionally to help them pass on more "discount" to me by not paying credit card fees etc.

I'm quite upset really - I'm not a confrontational guy at all (quite the opposite as you know Neil) and hate being the neigh sayer but I don't have a lot of options but to moan here now.

Frankly Ross, I think this is the perfect arena to air your views. It appears they had many opportunities to get this right, and frankly anything that leaves production not QC'd and arrives like this to an advance paying customer is an open invite for scrutiny and criticism.

Bank transfer - that really is on them to do it right and make the supply 100% correct - they have been paid in advance and should be providing a top quality product. Shame on them.

If I supplied my clients anything short of inferior, I'd be homeless in a few months...

I wouldn't class this as moaning, Ross - far from it. It's openness and sharing an experience. The negative you post actually carries credibility as a few post beforehand you mention how well they 'appeared' to be handling your expectations...

Argon -

[neilparf]

It might be worth speaking to Phil about having them removed as a site sponsor due to poor products based on these problems. I had a similar experience with them for my red carbon fibre engine pieces. Based on Marzz running hydro dipped parts on his engine for a year now I am going down that route instead although not doing the parts in carbon fibre effect.

Gavin, that's the point, Argon are not a site sponsor

[docurley]

Shocking to say the least. Speak to trading Standards and if no joy small claim court.

[MartayMcFly]

That's the level of quality I'd expect if I had a go at myself, not from a company demanding money up front for the products.

I heard good things about them in the past, but that's bad enough (and not just limited to a one-off mistake) to not ever use them in the future. Shame, carbon done right can look absolutely spot on.

[TonyHayers]

Ross, that's an absolute shocker. They are clearly using substandard materials, e.g resins that aren't designed for engine bay use. To me, that makes your purchases unfit for purpose. Unless they clearly provided you with a disclaimer that they were not to be used in hot places, like engine bays.

Whatever you do, don't suck it up, you deserve to get your money back. Frankly, I think you deserve some compensation for being without your money for so long - but that ain't gonna happen. Don't apologise for airing this, you may well have saved more people from losing money.

This company sounds like a nightmare. Their only saving grace was that the quality of their workmanship was good, if they haven't got that then they're done for.

If I was waiting on some parts right now, I'd be cancelling asap and attempting to get my money back before it's too late.

[RossDagley]

Thank you all sincerely for the moral support. I'll have a chat to some legal beagles I know about what to do next then. I really would like to just get my money back and send these back - I wish I'd never bought them in the first place

Ross, that's an absolute shocker. They are clearly using substandard materials, e.g resins that aren't designed for engine bay use. To me, that makes your purchases unfit for purpose. Unless they clearly provided you with a disclaimer that they were not to be used in hot places, like engine bays.

Quite the opposite:

The slight twist in the rain tray is normal with the skinning process and once the warmth the engine gets to it will go back into shape we had this issue on the second and third parts and were then informed that the part had flattened.

[neilparf]

The slight twist in the rain tray is normal with the skinning process and once the warmth the engine gets to it will go back into shape we had this issue on the second and third parts and were then informed that the part had flattened.

Horseshti

[neilparf]

Ross, I'd send one last email and say the products are not fit for purpose, and you would like a full refund...

[davers6]

Wow that was close nearly ordered some of that

[RIV]

Wow that was close nearly ordered some of that

See this 1 comment!! Just goes to show argon should have given his money back
They are missing out on sales already, and with there name in tatters on this forum
Bet carbon goodies is hiding under his desk, not his fault obviously,bet he regrets using them, not many more sales on this forum until the dust settles

[neilparf]

Wow that was close nearly ordered some of that

See this 1 comment!! Just goes to show argon should have given his money back
They are missing out on sales already, and with there name in tatters on this forum
Bet carbon goodies is hiding under his desk, not his fault obviously,bet he regrets using them, not many more sales on this forum until the dust settles

+1 on all that. Buyers are fickle - treat them right and they will return. Don't and they never will. Shame this is the later for Argon...

[PetrolDave]

+1 on all that. Buyers are fickle - treat them right and they will return. Don't and they never will. Shame this is the later for Argon...

I remember being told by a well respected engineer at the Ford Dunton Research Centre that if something goes well with a car the owner tells at most 1 person, but if something goes wrong they'll tell at least 7 other people.

Good reputations are hard and slow to build, but fast and easy to lose.

Nothing is ever perfect, but it's about how you handle the situation when something is wrong, treat the customer wrong and your business will suffer - simple.

[neilparf]

I remember being told by a well respected engineer at the Ford Dunton Research Centre that if something goes well with a car the owner tells at most 1 person, but if something goes wrong they'll tell at least 7 other people.

Good reputations are hard and slow to build, but fast and easy to lose.

Nothing is ever perfect, but it's about how you handle the situation when something is wrong, treat the customer wrong and your business will suffer - simple.

Business mantra 101.

Simples.

[MB2]

I would send the a letter by recorded delivery to their place of work asking for your money back as the goods clearly don't do the job and say you will happily return them as soon as you receive your refund.

I would continue that if you do not receive a response by the end of next week you will start a small claims proceeding for the money without further notice, citing the Sale of Goods Act 1979 - specifically "goods must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose".

Fit for purpose means both their everyday purpose, and also any specific purpose that you agreed with them so they cannot suggest heat from the engine affected the carbon or even use the "Nurbergring Defence".

You can file your claim on-line but do be prepared to travel to wherever they are if they choose to defend and ask for the court to be moved. I would do this straight away whilst the company is still solvent - letter in the post tomorrow and court docs in next Friday.

https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-onl ... -you-start

Good luck

[HYFR]

+1 on all that. Buyers are fickle - treat them right and they will return. Don't and they never will. Shame this is the later for Argon...

I remember being told by a well respected engineer at the Ford Dunton Research Centre that if something goes well with a car the owner tells at most 1 person, but if something goes wrong they'll tell at least 7 other people.

Good reputations are hard and slow to build, but fast and easy to lose.

Nothing is ever perfect, but it's about how you handle the situation when something is wrong, treat the customer wrong and your business will suffer - simple.

+1

also something about the time gap that exists between actual improvements in product quality vs. perceived improvement in quality ... the latter always lags the former